Implement attachment for loader frames



Nov. 24, 1953 c. B. RlcHr-:Y

IMPLEMENT ATTACHMENT FOR LOADER FRAMES 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 9, 1951 H w m l R A QM. N\ f lll I l fu \\N WSN @T005 NWN u .f N NJ, M f N M, .WN NQ Q W .VN WN I .INT1

Nov. 24, 1953 c. B. RlcHr-:Y

IMPLEMENT ATTACHMENT FOR LOADER FRAMES 2 Sheets-Sheetl 2 Filed March 9 1951 mlmmll Patented Nov. 24, 1953 IMPLEMENT ATTACHMENT FOR LOADER Y FRAMES Clarence B. Richey, Royal Oak, Mich., assigner to Dearborn Motors Uorporation, Birmmgham, Mich., a corporation or' Delaware Application March 9, 1951, Serial No. 214,714

7 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved material handling attachment for tractor mounted loaders.

Tractor mounted loaders have had wide acceptance by the modern farmer. While such tractor mounted loaders have been primarily used for loading manure and similar materials, buck rake attachments have been adapted for use with the tractor mounted loaders. The advantage oi" so mounting a buck rake is quite obvious in that the hay or other similar crop can be gathered in the held and directly transported to the storage point without any in between handling. A serious drawback, however, to the use of buck rake attachments on loader frames has been the unwieldiness and instability of the tractor when the loaded buck rake is carried in front of the tractor, and also the impaired visibility of the tractor operator resulting from so carrying such implement.

Likewise, prior buck rake attachments for tractors had no provision for absorbing road shocks or inertia forces during transport. Such forces have been absorbed by the loader frame with re sulting failures in the welded joints and other members due to fatigue as a result of continual jouncing.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved material handling attachment for tractor mounted loaders.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved mounting for a material handling attachment for tractor mounted loaders which cushions inertia, road shocks and other forces exerted by the loaded implement attachment when carried in an elevated position above the tractor.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved buck rake attachment for a tractor mounted loader frame.

A further object of this invention isv to provide a buck rake attachment for a tractor mounted frame mounted on a tractor showing a buck rake attachment of this invention mounted on suoli frame.

Ifig. 2 is a perspective view of the buck rake attachment constructed in accordance with this invention shown in an elevated position on the tractor.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective detail View showing the mounting bracket ior attaching the taken along the Fig. 8 is a detail iront View or' rig. 'I encom loader frame which may be elevated to an overhead position above the tractor'so that the center of gravity of the load lies substantially within the secured to a depending mounting plate secured passed generally by the plane 8 3.

As shown on the drawings:

1n Fig. 1 there is shown a substantially conventional loader frame lo mounted upon a tractor ll of well-known make.

The loader frame lo is of tubular construction having main side members lila and llib of generaily A-shaped configuration. The rear ends of each side frame member Illa and lilo are re-V spectively secured to a pair of bracnets l2 mounted on the rear tractor axle housing lia as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Brackets l2 comprise an offset plate portion 12a which has one horizontal portion 12b respectively secured to a pair of tractor fender lugs IIb by bolts I3. A horizontal plate I2c is secured in spaced relationship to the horizontal portion 12b of each oifset plate l2a.

such spacing. Spacer bars 12d project forwardly beyond the edge ofA horizontal plate I2C and the extreme end portions thereof are rounded as shown at |26. A transverse hole 'If is provided in the end of each of the spacer'bars |20 to receive a transverse pin le for a purpose to be later described. The rear end portions of side frames l0a and Ib are then respectively welded to the top surface of plate portions I2C of bracket l2 as shown in Fig. 3. Y Y Y The side frames Ita and wb are connected at their lower front ends by a transverse tubing l'2g which may be an integral continuation of the forward ends of side frame portions 10a and 10b. Transverse tube I2g has an upstanding centrally disposed lug (not shown) which is conveniently A pair of upstanding spacer bars lid Welded respectively to plates 'I2C and i201. effectV Y to the front tractor axle llc. Inasmuch as such mounting forms no part of this invention, fur# ther description thereof is not believed necessary. Reference may be had to U. S. Patent No. 2,489,629 to Ford for further details of such mounting.

A pair of generally C-shaped bumper guards i8, are respectively welded at their ends to the side frames Ia and Ib and to the transverse connecting tube I2g, as best shown in Fig. 2. Guards I8 are maintained in transversely spaced relationship by a plurality of horizontal connecting bars 18a respectively welded at their ends to the frames Illa and Ilb. A transverse tubular member I9 is disposed between the verteXes of side frames ma and Ib and Yhas its ends respectively secured by welding to the top of such frames. A pair of gusset plates 20 provided on opposite sides of tubular member I9 are welded respectively thereto and to the side frame members for reinforcement as best shown in. Fig. 5. An upstanding lug 2l is welded to each end of the transverse tube I9 as best shown in Fig. 5 and each of the lugs 2i is provided with a suitable transverse aperture or a purpose to later appear.

A pair of hydraulic cylinders 22` are respectively connected at their rear ends to the brackets I2. A rearwardly projecting integral lug 22a is provided on the rear end of each cylinder 22 and lugs 22a are transversely apertured as shown at 22D (Fig. 4) so that the transverse pin le supported by the forward ends. of spacers 12d may be inserted through aperture 22h to respectively pivotally mount the rear end of cylinders 22 t0 the brackets l2. A piston rod 220 projects forwardly out of each cylinder 22 and the` forward end of such piston rod. is connected to the implement to be mounted on frame l0, as will be later described.

Hydraulic cylinders 22 'are supplied pressured fluid by a front mounted pump (not shown) supported` between the bumper guards i8 and connected to the front end of the tractor crank shaft (not shown) in a well-known manner. The hollow interior of the main frame i serves as a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid. As the loader frame lll and the pump for providing pressured hydraulic fluid to the cylinders 22 are all conventional, further description thereof is not believed necessary.

. A buck. rake attachment indicated generally by the numeral 23 is provided ior mounting on top of loader frame l. Buck rake 23 comprises a vertically disposed generally U-shaped frame 24 having a horizontal bight or base portion 24a of rectangular tubular construction, as best shown in Fig. '7. At each end of bight portion 24u there is secured, as by welding, an upright arm 24D which is also preferably of rectangular tubular construction. A plurality of forwardly extendingl crop gathering tines 24o are secured along the bight portion 2da inspaced relationship, and a pair of similar tines 24d are suitably secured to each of the arms 2412. Tines 24e and 24d are of tubular construction and are respectively insertable in suitable aligned transverse apertures in the bight portion 24o; and arms 24D. A pair of cotter pins 24e inserted in suitabler apertures in each tine 24e and disposed adjacent opposite faces of the bight portion 24a. prevent longitudinal displacement of tines 24o. Tines 24d are similarly secured to arms 24h. y

A pair of vertically disposed. channel-shaped posts 25 are welded to the top of bight portion mounted on loader frame l0 by a parallel linkage arrangement as will now be described.

A pair of arms 26 are respectively pivotally mounted on'lugs 2i. Each arm 25 comprises a pair of generally triangular shaped plates 26a spaced apart at their rear ends by a spacer block 2Gb. A bolt 21 inserted through aligned apertures provided adjacent apex 26e of arms 25d and through the apertured lug 2l pivotally mounts such arms to the lugs 2i. A pair of rectangular bars 28 are respectively pivotally secured at their upper ends to the upper ends of post by bolts 28a and to the rear ends of arms 2e by welding as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Gusset plates 29 welded respectively to arms 25 and to bars 28 are provided for strengthening bars 28. A pair of links 36 are respectively pivotally secured at their upper ends to the lower end portions of post 25 as by bolts Sila and to a medial portion of hori- Zontal member 18o of the A-shaped side frames Ida and ib by fittings 3c. Links 30 are laterally offset at approximately the center thereof as shown at 35dV in Fig. 1 to permit the for-ward end of such links to clear the front wheels oi the tractor when lowering buck rake 23 to the ground as shown in Fig. 1. The lower ents of links 3d are bent inwardly as shown at 36e in Fig. 2 to permit pivotal connection of such links to the horizontal frame member Hic.

The forward ends of piston rods 22o (Fig. 6) have a transversely disposed tubular bearing sleeve 22d welded thereon and such sleeves respectively lit between the lower vertex portion of plates 2te. Plates 26e have aligned apertures 2te which when respectively aligned with the bore of sleeves 22d permit bolts 3| tov be inserted therethrough to pivotally secure piston rods 220 to such plates and hence to arms 2B. Sleeves 22d space the plates 26a a suiiicient distance apart so that the piston rods 22o can freely pass between the arms 25 as willbe later described.

When buck rake 23 is elevated to the maximum height position shown in Fig. 2 by operation of cylinders 22, it is very desirable that the center of gravity of the loaded buck rake be positioned substantially over the center of gravity of the tractor to insure optimum stability and load distribution on the tractor wheels.` In such position it is possible for the buck` rake, especially when loaded, to swing rearwardly to an over center position which would make it virtuali-y impossible to lower the buck rake te the unloading position. Accordingly, thereV is provided a pair orV springs 32 respectively slidably mounted upon a pair' of rods 33 pivoted to the' posts 25'. Rods 33 have an eye-shaped end 33a through which a bolt 315 may be inserted to respectively pivotally secure such y ends to the upright post 25. The other end' of rods 33 are respectively slidably insert'able with.-A

in an eye bolt 35 pivotally secured to links 30 by nuts 35a as best shown in Fig. 7, thus when the buck rake 23 pivots rearwardly springs 32 will be compressed against eye bolt 35 to resist the rearwardly swinging movement of suchbuck rake to resiliently maintain the rake in the position shown in Fig. 1.

With the buck rake 23 positioned in the lowered position as shown in Fig. 1, a load of hay or other material is readily gathered by such rake by merely driving the tractor forwardly so that the tines 24e will be forced under the pile or window. The buck rake may then be lifted by` actuating the hydraulic cylinders 22. This is accomplished by permitting pressured hydraulic iluid to ilow into such cylinders by actuation of suitable valves (not shown) whereupon piston rods 22o will be extended. Arms 25 are thus pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction which thereby moves the two pairs of links 2t and 3d also in a counter-clockwise direction to raise buck rate 23. Since links 28 and 3B are arranged in a substantially parallelogram relationship, the buck rake 23 will be raised upwardly in substantially the same position. A slight rearward tilt of rake 23 is preferable and such is accomplished by the bias of springs 32,

which also limit the rearward pivotal move-V ment of buck rake 23 to prevent the lifting linkage from assuming an over center position. However, when rake 23 is elevated to its maximum height, links 2S and 3D are then in a substantiallyT vertical position which provides columnar support for the load and permits unobstructed 'visibility from the tractor seat as the rake is thus elevated above the operators line of vision. Also, the center of gravity of the load is disposed above the tractor wheel base in such location as to provide optimum tractor stability. When the buck rate is elevated to the position shown in Fig. 2, the load carried thereon can then be quickly and easily transported to the desired discharge point whereupon the pressured fluid is bied out of hydraulic cylinders 22 and the buck rake 23 is lowered to the ground by gravity. During transport the springs `32 function to cushion `and absorb road shocks and inertiav forces.

From the above description, it is clearly apparent that there is here provided an implement attachment whereby the loader frame may be utilized for mounting other implements thereon which readily increases the versatility of such frame and also reduces the expense to the fariner of maintaining or having on hand more than one frame to perform a wide variety of work. The savings to the farmer by utilizing such an attachment are quite obvious. Furthermore, the arrangement herein described is not only of sturdy construction but is relatively simple thereby resulting in economy of manufacture. Hence, such an attachment is readily available to the farmer for but a fraction of the cost of a complete new implement and mount for such implement. It will be noted too, that when the load carried by the rake is raised over the tractor, the center of gravity of such load lies 'substantially within the tractor wheel base, thus sition. It is also pointed out that the danger of an over center position of the elevated load is substantially eliminated by the use of this improved implement mounting.

It will, of course, be understood that Various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principiss of this invention and it is, therefore, not urst links thereby defining a substantially sarah the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1 For use with a, tractor having a loader frame mounted thereon, an implement mounting comprising in combination a pair of upper link members having their ends respectively pivoted to opposed top portions of the frame and to an implement, a pair of lower link members having their ends respectively pivoted to the frame below said upper links and to the implement in spaced relationship relative to said upper links, said upper and lower links being constructed and arranged in substantially parallel relationship when the implement is in its lowered position, lever means secured to Ia selected pair of said links, hydraulically operated means connected to said lever means and the loader frame for raising said links and simultaneously moving the links relative to one another toward an aligned position, and resilient stop means interposed between one pair of said links and the implement toprevent movement of the links to an over center position when the implement is in its raised position.

2. For use with a .tractorr having a loader frame mounted thereon, a sweep rake attachment for mounting said rake on the frame comprising, in combination, a pair of lever arms,V

each of said lever armsv comprising a pair of spaced apart plate members, means for pivotally mounting said pair of arms at laterally spaced points on the upper portions of the frame, a pair of first link ymembers having one of their ends respectively secured to said lever arms substantially at right angles thereto, the other ends of said first link members being pivoted to said rake, a pair of second link members having their ends respectively pivotally connected to the frame and said rake at spaced points from said iirst links thereby defining a substantially paralleiogram linkage arrangement when said link members are in lowered position, a pair `or hydraulic cylinders pivotally connected respectively to the ends of said lever arms and the loader frame, the outer ends of said hydraulic cylinders being respectively ,disposed ,intermediate said pairof plate members, means for actuating said cylinders to eect relative movement between said link members lor raising said link members and said rake to an elevated position above the tractor at which elevated position said link members are substantially longitudinally aligned and said rake substantially overlies said upper portions of said frame and stop means preventing over-center movement oi said link members when the same-are in their substantially aligned f spaced apart plate members, means for pivotally mounting said pair Vof armsat laterally spaced points on the upper portions of the frame, a pair of first link members having vone of their ends respectively secured to said lever arms substantially at right angles thereto, the other ends of said rst link members being pivoted to said rake, a pair of second link members having their ends respectively pivotally connected to the frame and said rake at spaced points from said 9, 7 lelogram linkage arrangement', a pair of hydraulic cylinders pivotally connected respectively to the ends of said lever arms and the loader frame, the outer ends of said hydrauliceylmders being respectively disposed intermediate .said pair of plate members, means for actuating said cylinders for raising said link members and said rake to an elevated position above the tractor at which the link members are `substantially alignedr said. rake being pivotally movable relative to said link members upon elevation thereof, and resilient means operating. between relatively movable elements of said rake and said link members for limiting the pivoting movement of said rake relative to said link members when the rake is in said elevated position.

4 Thecombination vdenned in claim 3 wherein said last mentioned means comprises a pair of springs mounted. respectively betweeny said second link members and said rake, said springs being constructed and arranged to resist movement of said rake to an over centen position.

5. A tractor mounted material handling device comprising a material container, a linkage including a pair .of link elements pivoted to the container for raising and lowering of ysaid .container relative to the tractor, said elements being substantially parallel when said container is in its lower position and movable relative to said container until said links `are substantially 1ongitudinally aligned when said container 'is raised, means for actuating said velement to raise and lower said container, a spring operatively interposed between .said container and one of 'said link elements, said .spring being stressed during movement .of said container relative to said .linkage upon raising the .container to prevent tover center movement .of said elements as said com tainer approaches a position of maximum .elevation and vsaid links assume .their said substantially .aligned positions.

d. For use with a tractor having a fixed frame mounted thereon, an implement mounting comprising a pair of .pivot links having end portions respectively pivoted at vertically spaced points on said frame, a material handling Adevice pivotally mounted at the other end portionsV of said pivot links, .power means for actuating .said links to elevate and lower said device by effective pivoting movement of said links about the spaced points on said frame, said links being substantially parallel when said device is in lowered position and bei-ng. relatively movable to a substantially' longitudinally aligned position when said device is in a, raised position, and stop means including a stop element on one of said links for limiting movement of said one of said links when said device is in raised position to prevent overcenter movement of said links to and beyond a truly aligned position.

7. For use with a tractor having a xed frame thereon, an implement mounting comprising means on the frame dening a pair of vertically spaced pivot points located within the tractor wheel-base, a link pivoted to each of said points, respectively, ,and extending therefrom longitudinally of the tractor, a lever arm rigidly Med to one of said links, power operated means connected to said lever arm for swinging said one link vertically about its pivot point, a material handling device pivoted to said links to join the free ends thereof, swinging movement of said one link elevating said material handling device from a lowered position at which said links are substantially parallel to a raised position at which said links are substantially aligned in a vertical plane, and said material handling device substantially overlies said spaced pivot points within the tractor wheelbase, a rst stop element on one of said links, and a second stop element on said material handling device cooperating with said iirst element when said material handling device is in a raised position to prevent over-centering of said links.

CLARENCE B. RCI-lEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,311,671 Larsen Feb. 23, 1943 2,367,150 Spaeth Jan. 9, 1945 2,412,570 Ender Dec. 17, 1946 2,490,155 Pfau et al Dec. 6, 1949 2,494,684 Best Jan. 17, 1959 2,534,886 Stueland Dec. 19, 1950 

